EXTRA cash is needed to grit more York footpaths during icy snaps - or the council could be hauled before the courts.

That's the warning from highways chiefs who today called for the Guildhall's winter maintenance budget to be swelled by £50,000.

New Government laws states the whole highway - including footpaths - must be made as safe as possible from the effects of a cold snap.

Highways officials argue that limited resources mean it is not practical to treat all York's footpaths in such a pro-active way.

A council report states that, unlike key roads, footpaths are normally only treated in periods of "prolonged or severe" wintry weather when reactive action is taken on "important" paths.

Now officials are calling for more cash to grit key streets in an effort to ward off the threat of civil claims from pedestrians who may tumble on untreated paths.

City of York Council maintenance manager Fred Isles, in a report to planning and transport members, said: "It is believed that at present the courts have not made any significant ruling.

"There is nothing to indicate if they would come down hard on authorities that do not treat their footways as a routine precaution to the build up of frost and ice."

He added: "Having said that, many experienced insurance officers feel the courts are giving authorities a honeymoon period to amend their policies such that they determine a defined pedestrian network and proactively treat it."

Officers call on members to back a policy that would bring the council in line with the new law.

This is to treat priority footpaths - including designated routes across the city centre - when street conditions are expected to remain below zero beyond 10am, and/or when snow is forecast.

Footpaths near schools, shopping areas and streets in badly-hit residential areas will be gritted according to resources.

Mr Isles said the extra cost of this policy - £50,000 from emergency funds - was affordable when compared with potential costs of paying out compensation.

The plans are due to be discussed by councillors on Wednesday.

In January, gritting bosses defended their efforts to clear York's as sleet and snow buffeted the region.

Drivers heading into York on the A59 from Harrogate, A19 from Selby and A64 from Malton claimed conditions deteriorated as soon as they crossed into York council territory.

One motorist, from Harrogate, said problems on the A59 were similar to January 2003, when numerous accidents happened on the York stretch because of poor gritting

Updated: 11:35 Saturday, October 02, 2004